I need a lens recommendation

[Ford Freak]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel with a 28-55mm lens. I would like to get something that has a range anywhere from 55 to 300 but I would like to get it as close to 300 as possible. I would also like to have IS.

[Jorrell]

nice camera!

how about Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
or
EF Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...0&modelid=7342


Those are proly fairly expensive.

[swannema]

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens


My wife has exactly that lens, not cheap but a good lens. IS is a must with tele lenses. I think we payed about $400 for it.

[fischyfinger]

I have the Tamron Aspherical Ultra Zoom XR LD for my 35mm Rebel and I plan on using it for the Digital Rebel when I get it. I was assured by Tamron and B&H that it will work with the Digital Rebel. It's 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3. Very nice lens for $300 (after rebate at B&H). Very light too, but no IS.

EDIT: It's not available at B&H yet but Tamron has redesigned this lens especially for digital SLRs, at double the price! It has their new Di designation.

[swannema]

Am I glad I don't have to worry about extra lenses. My digital has a 12x zoom, 35-425mm with IS. I always smile at my wife because she has to carry the big camera case and I have a pretty small one

[Ford Freak]

Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

I would like to have that but I don't have $2,500 to spend on it.

fischy - The Di version looks nice. I just wonder how good it is though. I had a Tamron 80-210 for my Rebel G and the focusing motor was loud and it had trouble focusing sometimes. I was reading about how they made it smaller. The process must be similar to the way they made thinner lenses for glasses.


A couple I have looked at was the Canon 75-300mm IS USM and the Canon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM. I have thought about the 55-200 because it would be the equivelent of a 88-320 on a 35mm camera.

[ronbo 613]

Hello-Canon will be releasing the new EOS 20D any day now to be followed shortly by a new line of lenses made specifically for digital cameras. One of those lenses may suit your needs. "L" series lenses are mainly for professional photographers, way too expensive for the average photographer. Actually, they are too expensive for the pros as well, but they have to buy them.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by fischyfinger

I have the Tamron Aspherical Ultra Zoom XR LD for my 35mm Rebel and I plan on using it for the Digital Rebel when I get it. I was assured by Tamron and B&H that it will work with the Digital Rebel. It's 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3. Very nice lens for $300 (after rebate at B&H). Very light too, but no IS.

EDIT: It's not available at B&H yet but Tamron has redesigned this lens especially for digital SLRs, at double the price! It has their new Di designation.

They have it now for $399. Link.

[opaper]

Check this site out it shows user opinions. Click on Canon EOS at the top then enter your preference in the window. You might enjoy the Canon EOS FAQ’s on the front page also. http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html

[doogiemo]

Originally Posted by swannema

IS is a must with tele lenses

Not if you have the new Konica Minolta MAxxum 7D

[drpino]

i'd check out some sigma lenses too...on par with Tamron in terms of quality and price.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/lenschart.htm

[Ford Freak]

I have decided on one finally. Some of you might think I'm nuts. This is the one. I was thinking about this one at first. I decided to look around a bit more and ran across the 100-400. The 100-400 is about $200 - $300 more. I know some of you are also thinking why such a good lens with a cheaper digital camera. I plan on upgrading the body next year. One possibility is the EOS 20D.

[ABoard]

Originally Posted by Ford Freak

I have decided on one finally. Some of you might think I'm nuts. This is the one. I was thinking about this one at first. I decided to look around a bit more and ran across the 100-400. The 100-400 is about $200 - $300 more. I know some of you are also thinking why such a good lens with a cheaper digital camera. I plan on upgrading the body next year. One possibility is the EOS 20D.

Can't go wrong with the "L" series. I think you made the right choice (but it did take you long enough).

- One potential problem with that particular lens is getting dust inside the barrel due to the push / pull zoom mechanism. You can actually feel / hear (if your ears are good) the air being pulled in and pushed out when zooming. The dust rarely is reported to cause image quality issues but may be annoying when looking through the viewfinder. Just get it cleaned by a Canon dealer periodically.

- I would have preferred a faster lens, but the lens would be much larger and much more expensive.

Despite those [minor] points, the lens is excellent and it probably will become the lens that stays on your camera the most.

I usually purchase my Canon equipment from B&H (NY) and medium format gear [mostly] from Robert White (UK).

Have fun..

-----
On another photo / camera topic here:

Canon digital cameras - view images without proprietary software?

I posted (post #9) a picture of my EOS 3 body with one of my "L"s attached (the 70-200 2.8).

[ronbo 613]

I know some of you are also thinking why such a good lens with a cheaper digital camera. I plan on upgrading the body next year. One possibility is the EOS 20D.

That's good strategy. You'll change cameras, especially digital cameras, but you'll keep the lenses. Always buy the best lenses you can afford. Better to buy a cheap camera and good lens than the other way around. Even an average camera with a quality lens will take good photos.
With the crop factor of the Rebel, the lens you chose is going to be a 160mm-640mm. You will need a tripod. Very difficult to hand hold a lens over 300mm. Can't beat L series lenses.
I've been using the 20D for some time now. It's an awesome camera. Same 1.6X crrop factor as the Rebel.
B&H is a good company, I'd recommend them as well.

[Ford Freak]

I have a question about the crop factor since you mentioned it. Why is it with the digital cameras that it isn't 1.0? I would like to get a lens that does 10mm but that would be 16. It wouldn't be worth it IMO.